
Everything under control
76 5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit. If neces-
sary, hold it against a slight resistance to 
enter a greater difference.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is automatically switched on.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system applies your current 
speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
 The limit is automatically switched on.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: open "Car 
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.
Starting, stopping, or resetting
>Select "Start" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
>Select "Reset" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it 
was running beforehand.>Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "Interim time" and press the controller. 
The interim time appears below the ongoing 
primary stopwatch count.
All of the remaining functions remain 
available at all times while the stopwatch 
is running. The stopwatch continues to operate 
in the background.<
Settings on Control Display
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button once or twice until 
the start menu appears.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller. 

Everything under control
78
Setting date
1.Select "Date" and press the controller.
2.Select "Set date" and press the controller. 
The first section of the date display is 
selected, in this case the month.
3.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
4.Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The next adjustment is selected.
5.Make the remaining adjustments. After the 
last adjustment, the date is stored.
Changing date format
1.Select "Date format" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select the desired format and press the 
controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Brightness of Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the base setting.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Brightness" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the controller to the right 
to select "Display".
7.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Units of measure
You can change the units of measure for fuel 
consumption, distances, temperature and 
pressure.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Language / Units" and press the 
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Units" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select the menu item to be set. 

Controls
 79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7.Press the controller.
8.Select the desired unit of measure and 
press the controller.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Language on Control Display
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Language / Units" and press the 
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Languages" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Text language" and press the con-
troller. You can select a different language 
for the text displays.
7.Select the desired language and press the 
controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
80
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert 
you to the approach of an object from behind 
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. 
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m. 
However, an acoustic warning first sounds for 
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center 
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate the 
presence of objects when they are being 
approached slowly, as is usually the case when 
parking. Avoid approaching an object at high 
speed; otherwise, the physical circumstances 
could cause the system warning to be activated 
too late.<
Switching on automatically
The system starts to operate approx. 1 second 
after you shift into reverse gear or move the 
selector lever into position R with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on.
Wait this short period before driving.
Switching on manually
Press the button; the LED lights up.
Switching off manually
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
An intermittent signal indicates the distance of 
the vehicle from an object being approached. 
Thus, an object detected to the left rear of the 
vehicle will be indicated by a signal tone from 
the left rear speaker, etc.  As the distance 
between vehicle and object decreases, the 
intervals between the tones become shorter. If 
the distance to the nearest object falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
As a preventive measure, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and maintain a distance of 
at least 4 in/10 cm to them.
Exhaust gases near the rear sensors can cause 
a signal tone to sound. 

Controls
 81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
PDC with visual warning*
You can also enjoy the option of having the sys-
tem show the approach to an object on the 
Control Display. Objects that are farther away 
are already shown there before a signal tone 
sounds. The setting is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Vehicle / Tires" is 
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "PDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstacles always remains with 
the driver. Even when sensors are involved, 
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. The system is also subject to the 
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin 
and wedge-shaped objects etc. Low objects 
already displayed, e. g. curbs, can also disap-
pear from the detection area of the sensors 
again before or after a continuous tone already 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. 
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle 
may prevent you from hearing the PDC signal 
tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during hard braking. This increases active 
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page116.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to 
vehicle stability and steering response when 
braking while cornering or when braking during 
a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution
This system controls the brake system's appli-
cation pressure at the rear wheels to ensure 
stable deceleration. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
82
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC optimizes the vehicle stability and traction. 
It also detects unstable driving states such as 
understeering and oversteering, and helps 
keep the vehicle on course within the physical 
limits by reducing the engine output and by 
braking at the wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the 
engine.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Do not reduce the additional safety mar-
gin of the system by taking risks.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly 
after the engine is started. 
The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is con-
trolling the drive forces and brake forces. 
The indicator lamp lights up continuously: DSC 
is deactivated.
M Dynamic Mode MDM
The M Dynamic Mode is a mode of the DSC 
Dynamic Stability Control. It enables driving 
with greater longitudinal and lateral accelera-
tion on dry road surfaces, however with limited 
vehicle stability. The system does not provide 
stabilizing intervention by reducing the engine 
output and braking at the wheels until the abso-
lute driving limit is reached. Steering correc-
tions by the driver may also be required in this 
driving state.
The M Dynamic Mode is deactivated each time 
the engine is started.With the M Dynamic Mode activated, sta-
bilizing interventions are only carried out 
to a reduced degree.<
To maintain vehicle stability, drive with 
DSC activated and the M Dynamic Mode 
deactivated whenever possible.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly 
after the engine is started. The indica-
tor lamp lights up continuously: 
M Dynamic Mode is activated. 
The indicator lamp lights up continuously and 
the DSC indicator lamp flashes: the M Dynamic 
Mode is active and controls the drive and brak-
ing forces.
Activating MDM
You activate the M Dynamic Mode with the   
button on the steering wheel, refer to MDrive on 
page54.
With the ignition switched on you can change 
the settings of MDrive on the Control Display.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "MDrive" and press the controller.
4.Select "DSC" and press the controller.
5.Select "M Dynamic Mode" and press the 
controller.
Sequential Manual Transmission with Drive-
logic: 

Controls
 83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Manual transmission:
You can also activate and deactivate the 
M Dynamic Mode with the MDM button.
Deactivating MDM again
Press the   button on the steering wheel or the 
MDM button
* again; the MDM indicator lamp 
goes out.
Deactivating DSC*
Press the DSC OFF button; the DSC indicator 
lamp lights up continuously. DSC and MDM are 
deactivated.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.When rocking free and starting off from deep 
snow or on loose road surfaces, it may be prac-
tical to briefly deactivate DSC.
To maintain vehicle stability, always drive 
with the system switched on when possi-
ble. With a manual transmission, DSC cannot 
be deactivated.<
Reactivating DSC
Press the DSC OFF button; the indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
You can also activate and deactivate DSC with 
the   button on the steering wheel, refer to 
MDrive on page54.
Malfunction in driving stability control 
systems
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up, together with the Indicator 
and warning lamps for ABS, DSC and 
Tire Pressure Monitor or Flat Tire Mon-
itor. A message appears on the Control 
Display. The driving stability control 
systems have failed. Conventional 
braking efficiency remains available 
without limitations. While you may con-
tinue, you should remember to proceed 
cautiously and drive defensively while avoiding 
full brake applications. In addition, the Tire 
Pressure Monitor or the Flat Tire Monitor has 
also failed. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
The DSC warning lamp lights up. 
A malfunction has occurred in DSC 
including MDM. The stability mainte-
nance functions are no longer available.  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84 The vehicle remains operational. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
The brake system warning lamp lights 
up yellow. A message appears on the 
Control Display. The brake assistant is 
defective. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
EDC Electronic Damping 
Control
The concept
If the influencing variables such as road surface 
quality or operating conditions such as steer-
ing, braking etc. change, the damping automat-
ically adjusts to the new conditions within a 
fraction of a second.
You can choose from three programs.
"Comfort" program
Select the "Comfort" program if you want com-
fort-oriented coordination of shock absorbers 
and steering.
"Normal" program
The "Normal" program offers a balanced mix-
ture of the comfort and the sport program.
"Sport" program
Select the "Sport" program if you want a con-
sistently sporty coordination of shock absorb-
ers and steering.
Selecting program
Sequential Manual Transmission with Drive-
logic:
Manual transmission:
Press the EDC button repeatedly:
>"Comfort": LED off.
>"Normal": one LED lights up.
>"Sport": both LEDs light up.
The last selected program is active each time 
the engine is started.
You can also activate your preferred program 
with the   button on the steering wheel, refer 
to MDrive on page54.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the tires as you drive. The sys-
tem provides an alert whenever the inflation 
pressure drops significantly in relation to the 
pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius 
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels